Vietnam: religious leaders critical

Representatives from various religious groups in Vietnam issued a statement on 4 October accusing the Vietnamese government of attempting to destroy religions in the country.

Religious leaders from the Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Hoa Hao Buddhist and Cao Dai are all signatories to the statement, entitled �Concerning the Ordinance on Religion and Belief of 2004 and the 2012 Decree on Directives and Measures for Implementing the Ordinance on Religion and Belief.’ In the statement, which is addressed to Vietnamese government officials, clergy, religious groups and citizens, as well as to members of the international community including the United Nations, the authors address both the conceptual and practical obstacles to the realisation of religious freedom in Vietnam.

According to the authors, the Communist Party and the government of Vietnam view religion as harmful to society and have attempted to destroy religions, “using both force and administrative measures”. They accuse the Vietnamese regime of having “threatened, harassed, assaulted, detained, or placed under restricted movement status many adherents, clergy members, and members of religious orders who tried to conduct legitimate religious activities.”

The statement asserts that lack of legal status prevents religious organizations from engaging in routine transactions such as opening a bank account or buying and owning property. Although religious organizations are able to register for the purposes of operation, they face many restrictions, as outlined in the statement. In January 2013, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) produced a summary of the main concerns held by religious leaders, activists and legal experts regarding Decree 92, many of which are raised in this statement.

The statement concludes that Ordinance No. 21 and Decree No. 92 have been used not to protect religious freedom but to control all religious life, to use religions and their organisations for propaganda purposes, to stifle criticism of the government by religious organisations, and to prevent these organisations from contributing to civil society. It states that large-scale celebrations and places of worship are not necessarily indicators of genuine religious freedom, which can only exist “when a government truly acknowledges the fundamental rights of religious organisations”. Finally, the authors call for the release all prisoners of conscience, operational independence and freedom from government interference for religious organisations, and the return of tangible property and other assets.

CSW’s Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said, “We welcome the efforts of different religious groups to come together to address issues of mutual concern regarding freedom of religion or belief in Vietnam. CSW shares many of these concerns, and urges the government of Vietnam to thoroughly and impartially investigate the issues raised by these religious organisations. We further call on the government to revise regulations and directives which place on religious organisations and activities unnecessary restrictions incompatible with international standards on the right to freedom of religion or belief.”

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact Kiri Kankhwende, Press Officer at Christian Solidarity Worldwide on +44 (0)20 8329 0045 / +44 (0) 78 2332 9663, email kiri@csw.org.uk or visit www.csw.org.uk.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a Christian organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights, in the pursuit of justice.

Notes to Editors:

1. For a copy of CSW’s summary of the main concerns held by religious leaders, activists and legal experts regarding Decree 92, please contact the Press Office.